legalize

[ lee-guh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing.

1. to make legal; authorize.

legalize

/ ˈliːɡəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make lawful or legal
2. to confirm or validate (something previously unlawful)

Derived Forms

• ˌlegaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• legal·i·zation noun
• un·legal·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of legalize¹

First recorded in 1710–20; legal + -ize

Example Sentences

While many other states have slowly taken steps toward legalized marijuana, Amendment A would make it the first state in the country to simultaneously legalize marijuana for medical and recreational uses.

From Washington Post

The recent spread of sports betting is not surprising, as state governments have long turned to legalized gambling to address financial problems during economic crises.

From Washington Post

The law would apply to adults 21 and older, just as in the 15 other states and District of Columbia that have already legalized the drug.

From Washington Post

In New York, the recently legalized battery-powered two wheelers were most often used by delivery workers.

From Time

The industry is lobbying to have it legalized nationwide, but for now, the extract is considered a controlled substance if it comes from cannabis plants.

From Popular-Science

The first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, Denmark still waves its banner high.

From The Daily Beast

The residents of Arkansas decide Tuesday whether to legalize the sale of an intoxicating substance statewide.

From The Daily Beast

Despite the obvious appeal, the odds are long that Arkansas will legalize alcohol statewide in 2014.

From The Daily Beast

If the president takes unilateral action to legalize millions of people, King said, “it will create a constitutional crisis.”

From The Daily Beast

To paraphrase Peter Tosh, if Illinois were to legalize it, would you advertise it?

From The Daily Beast

The Ashburton treaty was not the law of Canada, because the Government had neglected to legalize it by statute.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't you want to get married–to–er–legalize this extraordinary situation in which we are placed?

From Project Gutenberg

This conviction or this pretension tends to augment their force amazingly, and contributes no less to legalize their measures.

From Project Gutenberg

The law could legalize the King's inclination, and who dare gainsay its enactments?

From Project Gutenberg

It would be to legalize the disarrangement of all monetary transactions, and to deprive every creditor of one-fifth of his debts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• approve
• authorize
• codify
• constitute
• decriminalize
• enact
• permit
• regulate